Election into the 2,250-member society is widely considered among the world’s most prestigious marks of achievement. The National Academy of Sciences has been delivering independent, objective counsel to the federal government since its creation by Congressional charter during the United States Civil War.

Together with Jones, Baylin serves as co-leader of the Van Andel Research Institute-Stand Up To Cancer (VARI-SU2C) Epigenetics Dream Team, a multimillion-dollar international collaboration that orchestrates clinical trials using epigenetic therapies to treat a variety of solid-organ and hematological cancers. The VARI-SU2C team currently is conducting four clinical trials that are investigating potential new therapies for colorectal cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Baylin’s election into the National Academy of Sciences is the latest in a string of honors for Van Andel Institute-affiliated scientists. In addition to three members of the Academy, the Institute also is home to:

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Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, Van Andel Institute is committed to improving the health and changing the lives of current and future generations, through biomedical research and science education.